Fabrication and characterization of near-field optical fiber nanoprobes with high resolution and high-transmission efficiency

Xiumei Liu; Jia Wang; Dacheng Li

doi:10.1117/12.401677

3 October 2000 Fabrication and characterization of near-field optical fiber nanoprobes with high resolution and high-transmission efficiency

Xiumei Liu, Jia Wang, Dacheng Li

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4220, Advanced Photonic Sensors: Technology and Applications; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.401677
Event: Optics and Optoelectronic Inspection and Control: Techniques, Applications, and Instruments, 2000, Beijing, China

Abstract

As one of the key components in scanning near-field optical microscopes (SNOM), optical fiber probes can be fabricated by use of either laser-heated pulling or chemical etching. For high-resolution near-field imaging, the near-field optical signal is rapidly attenuated as the aperture of probes decreases. It is thus important to fabricate probes optimized for aperture size and optical transmission. We present a two step fabrication method of 50 - 70% reproducibility to obtain probes with high optical transmission efficiency as well as small tip diameters. First, optic fiber probes with the transitional taper in hyperbolic or parabolic shape are produced by use of the simple home-made device for heating- pulling. Then, a rapid chemical etching with 40% buffered hydrofluoric acid is used to sharpen the tip while keeping the taper shape and the conic angle unchanged. The method renders us to achieve probes with tip diameters in the range of 20 nm - 200 nm and the tape angle near the tip apex in the range of 20 degree(s) - 60 degree(s). Particularly, the length of the non- propagating evanescent wave modes region decreases greatly to tens of micrometers or even less. In order to test the achieved probes, we give the photon tunneling decay curve and scanning near-field optical image of holographic grating by use of PSTM mode and collection-mode SNOM, respectively. In addition, an approach curve of shear force with hyperbolic probe is shown to verify its applicability to sample-tip distance regulation on basis of the principle of shear-force.

Citation Download Citation

Xiumei Liu, Jia Wang, and Dacheng Li "Fabrication and characterization of near-field optical fiber nanoprobes with high resolution and high-transmission efficiency", Proc. SPIE 4220, Advanced Photonic Sensors: Technology and Applications, (3 October 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.401677

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available